For citizens. During the press conference by Commissioner Philippe Busquin and the Director of the European Space Agency (ESA) Jean-Jacques Dordain, during their presentation of Commission White Paper on "European Space Policy" (EUROPE yesterday, pa 10), a journalist asked what were the practical advantages of such a policy for citizens. The tone of the question suggested quite clearly what was meant: offices in Brussels continue to elaborate wonderful plans on subjects of interest to the business community, the political authorities and sometimes, intellectuals, but where are the benefits for the ordinary citizen? It was easy for Messrs Busquin and Dordain to reply that in this case, the advantages for citizens were very real and immediate on the economic plan (observation of land cultivated, maritime navigation etc.) and in daily lives: weather forecasts, transmission of football matches, opportunities for immigrants to keep their cultural and sentimental links with their countries of origin with satellite television programmes, or use of taxis in congested cities. Mr Dordain explained that he nearly needed an hour to mention all the applications of space technology of interest to citizens. And how can the employment aspect be ignored? According to the White Paper, the market for satellite navigation services alone and related products could create 40,000 skilled jobs.
More generally, the direct involvement of the EU in space domain is an unquestionable must if we are to recognise the validity of the Lisbon objectives on the knowledge economy. The USA, Russia, Japan are involved and China and Brazil are getting there, while perhaps waiting for India. Can Europe be absent? If decisions are not taken quickly, its current position (which is not to be ignored) would be doomed to a speedy collapse as no Member State is up to facing all the increasing demands alone. In the absence of common action, the decline of airspace companies will be immediate, with the risk of a definitive loss of skills and precious know-how.
Other proof. For many years, thanks to the ambition of France (sometimes alone, sometimes in cooperation), Europe was able to assert itself into hi-tech sectors: nuclear, supersonic planes, information technology, airspace. Investments and risks are being felt now that Europe is acting together, as France itself requested. It is especially important to guarantee Europe independent access to space, with its own new generation launchers. In this field, demand is increasing: would we like to see European supply declining? For Galileo, the principle has been won and project is progressing; the opposition that it face on the other side of the Atlantic is another reason why we have to persevere. It is true that Galileo want to be civilian not military but it is obvious that all European defence policy needs, in order to be more efficient, an independent and reliable information system. Certain common policies like agriculture, fisheries and transport already use space techniques for some of their action. Philippe Busquin declared that, "Without satellites, the life of citizens, each economic activity would be impoverished and lessened". The Commissioner explained that space technologies were necessary for industrial competitiveness and economic cohesion as communication satellites could transfer "broad band" technology in 20% of European territory where conventional technologies were unsuitable by reducing the "digital fracture" that was I danger of dividing Europe. Coastal and border monitoring in Europe can only hope to be effective if there are satellites. Development aid policy could also receive a significant boost by way of space technology, for example through the management of resources such as water and follow-up to harvests. In connection with the idea of putting a European into space, the Commission has not reached a verdict: it is going to ask a group of wise men to present us with a "European vision" by the end of the year for exploring the solar system, including "human exploration".
The White Paper was updated by way of broad consultation of all the interested parties. Without questioning the results of the initiatives of the past that allowed Europe to become a world space power, the need for a real common EU policy was acknowledged by all. This explains why the White Paper is not only an instrument for discussion but already a two-phase action plan. From 2004-07 the activities planned by the EAS agreement will be implemented and other objectives defined; after 2007 the entry into force of the constitutional treaty (which will make space a "shared competency" between the EU and Member States) and the new financial perspectives (which should allow for specific loans for space policy) will help action to be taken. All of this appears so convincing that we have to ask why Member States could respond negatively.
(F.R.)